Power Dense Converter Electronics for Grid Tie Energy Storage Containers
- Creare LLC, Hanover, NH (United States)
Creare has demonstrated during this program that it is feasible to improve the value proposition for grid-tied inverters by using silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs to eliminate the liquid cooling system and replace the very large 60 Hz transformer with a compact, high-frequency transformer. Trade study analysis has concluded that SiC MOSFETs are superior to silicon Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) because (1) high-voltage, commercial silicon IGBTs are limited in blocking voltage range to about 6.5 kV, which mandates series-connected devices to achieve higher grid compatible voltages; (2) IGBTs are less capable of high switching frequency; and (3) SiC MOSFETs have 30x less switching loss compared to silicon IGBTs. The specific technical benefits demonstrated include (a) design of a 500 kW inverter module, with the capability to cascade multiple modules for higher power capacity; (b) development and testing of a subscale power laboratory grade prototype; (c) a high-frequency voltage conversion topology that eliminates the 60 Hz transformer; (d) voltage boost from 1 kV battery voltage to 12.47 kV AC line voltage, which provides bidirectional utility interconnection; (e) use of forced air convection cooling to eliminate bulky and problematic liquid cooling; (f) bidirectional power flow; and (g) power density that is 2.7 times higher than the existing silicon IGBT-based system.
- Research Organization:
- Creare, Inc., Hanover, NH (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- Contributing Organization:
- Creare LLC 16 Great Hollow Road Hanover, NH 03755
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0013765
- OSTI ID:
- 1502940
- Type / Phase:
- SBIR (Phase II)
- Report Number(s):
- TM-4256
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
SiC-Based 5-kV Universal Modular Soft-Switching Solid-State Transformer (M-S4T) for Medium-Voltage DC Microgrids and Distribution Grids
Isolated Single-stage Three-phase AC/DC Converter using Bidirectional Switches